Configuring Cisco Catalyst 1000 Series Switches for Livewire

Updated by Bryan Jones

Scope

This document covers the configuration of the Cisco 1000 series of switches for use with a Livewire+ network. Testing and setup based on Cisco IOS Software, C1000 Software (C1000-UNIVERSALK9-M), Version 15.2(7)E4, RELEASE SOFTWARE.

UPDATE RECOMMENDATION - There are some known issues around previous versions of Cisco software for these switches that cause some multicast flooding and connection issues. We recommend running version 15.2(7)E4 or higher. As of this writing, software can be downloaded from the Cisco site by clicking here.
Please note that this document applies only to the Cisco 1000 series of switches. While some of these settings will work with other switches, using these commands to program switches not in this series could yield unintended results.

Introduction

We don't intend for this to be a complete or step-by-step manual on how to configure your Switch. It is provided as a guide and makes some underlying assumptions regarding the skill level of the person doing the programming. If you are not comfortable hooking up serial cables, assigning IP addresses, typing in command line interfaces, etc., you should contact your IT department for assistance.

If this is the first time configuration, you will have to connect to the Switch via a console cable and serial connection to enter into setup. After the initial configuration, you can connect to the Switch via a Telnet session or through a serial port.

Connect to this switch using a USB cable and a serial port driver from Cisco, or connect using a standard Cisco "console" cable.

As of this writing, the Windows USB driver can be obtained from the Cisco website. Make sure you install the driver before connecting the switch to your USB ports. Installing the driver and connecting the cable will install a new COM port on your computer.  Use the device manager for your operating system to determine what COM port has been installed. PuTTy is a free terminal program that can be used for configuration and can be downloaded here.

Programming

Once connected with the serial cable (default settings are 9600 baud), you will see messages on the screen as the switch boots. Seeing these messages confirms that your serial cable is working correctly. If prompted to enter any setup wizards, please answer ‘No.’

A couple of other notes that might be helpful:

  • Many commands can be abbreviated and just need to be unambiguous. For example, the enable command is often abbreviated as en and configure terminal is often abbreviated as config t. All commands can be abbreviated.
  • The TAB key completes a word and checks it for correctness. For example, if you type ‘en’ and then press TAB it will spell out the word ‘enable’.
  • The # (pound or hash sign) indicates you are in privileged mode. For example, if your prompt says Switch> and you try to type config t, you will receive an error because you are not in privileged mode. Typing the enable command will give you the Switch# prompt indicating the privileged mode.

Set the passwords

We suggest using a password of ‘Livewire’ or some other password that is easy to remember.

Switch>enable
Switch#configure terminal
Switch(config)#username AAAA password Livewire
Switch(config)#enable password Axia

Set the hostname

We suggest setting the hostname of each switch to something descriptive. Suggestions might be AXIACORE01, or AXIAEDGE01, etc. In this example, we will use AXIA01.

To change the hostname from the default of ‘Switch’, type the following from the prompt;

Switch(config)#hostname AXIA01
AXIA01(config)#

Assigning an IP address to Vlan 1

By default, Livewire uses Vlan 1. It is possible to use other Vlans; however, support for that is outside of the scope of this document. Please contact your Cisco dealer, Cisco support, or your IT Group for assistance on using other Vlans.

By default, the IGMP Querier will be the lowest IP address switch in the subnet. For this reason, it is essential to set your core (central) switch with a lower IP than any other switch in the Livewire subnet. Note that this includes any PowerStation, QOR, or xSwitch as well as other Cisco switches.

To set the IP address, type the following from the prompt (replace the IP address shown with one appropriate to your configuration):

AXIA01>enable
AXIA01#config terminal
AXIA01(config)#interface vlan1
AXIA01(config-if)#ip address 192.168.2.2 255.255.255.0
AXIA01(config-if)#no shutdown
AXIA01(config-if)#end

Let’s save our configuration:

AXIA01#wr
Building configuration...
[OK]
AXIA01#

Allow access from Telnet

Again we suggest the use of a password that is easy to remember.  In this case, “telnet123” is used as the password.

AXIA01#configure terminal
AXIA01(config)#line vty 0 15
AXIA01(config-line)#password telnet123
AXIA01(config-line)#login
AXIA01(config-line)#exit

Configuring Global QoS

AXIA01(config)#mls qos srr-queue output cos-map queue 1 threshold 1 6 7
AXIA01(config)#mls qos srr-queue output cos-map queue 2 threshold 1 5
AXIA01(config)#mls qos srr-queue output cos-map queue 3 threshold 1 0 1
AXIA01(config)#mls qos srr-queue output dscp-map queue 1 threshold 1 48
AXIA01(config)#mls qos srr-queue output dscp-map queue 2 threshold 1 46 34
AXIA01(config)#mls qos srr-queue output dscp-map queue 3 threshold 1 0
AXIA01(config)#mls qos
AXIA01(config)#end
AXIA01#wr
Building configuration...
[OK]
AXIA01#

Setup IGMP

AXIA01#config terminal
AXIA01(config)#ip igmp snooping querier
AXIA01(config)#ip igmp snooping vlan 1 immediate-leave
AXIA01(config)#ip igmp snooping querier max-response-time 25
AXIA01(config)#ip igmp snooping querier timer expiry 205
AXIA01(config)#end
It is recommended to set only one “ip igmp snooping querier” per VLAN and for proper operation the querier must be core switch. (core switch is defined as the “central” switch or the one that all other switches connect to).  This is particularly important in cases where the total bandwidth on a Livewire network can exceed the capacity of any single link.  

To disable ip igmp querier on a Cisco switch use:

AXIA01#config terminal
AXIA01(config)#no ip igmp snooping querier
AXIA01(config)#end

Configuring Axia Device Ports (Access Ports)

Access ports are used for connecting “end point” devices like Axia nodes, engines, computers, as well as any other devices that are not considered “switches” (see note in trunk port configuration section). 

 To configure multiple access ports at once, type the following from the prompt:

Replace GigabitEthernet1/0/1 - 22 with the ports that are appropriate to your configuration. In this example, we are configuring ports 1 thru 22 as access ports.
AXIA01#config terminal
AXIA01(config)#interface range GigabitEthernet1/0/1 - 22
AXIA01(config-if-range)#switchport mode access
AXIA01(config-if-range)#switchport nonegotiate
AXIA01(config-if-range)#switchport voice vlan dot1p
AXIA01(config-if-range)#priority-queue out
AXIA01(config-if-range)#no power efficient-ethernet auto
AXIA01(config-if-range)#mls qos trust dscp *SEE NOTE BELOW*
AXIA01(config-if-range)#spanning-tree portfast 
AXIA01(config-if-range)#no ip igmp snooping tcn flood
AXIA01(config-if-range)#end
*NOTE* - for Engine, iPort, VX, or Omnia 8x versions older than 2011-06-15 use “mls qos trust cos”

Configuring Trunk Ports

Trunk ports are used for connecting other Cisco switches or Axia devices with switches built-in (like a PowerStation Main or QOR or xSwitch). Please note that when connecting to a PowerStation Main, only the GIG ports can be used, and they must be properly configured for Trunk operation in the Ethernet Switch configuration of the Element Control Center. QOR based devices and xSwitch should only be connected to the GIG Ports.

 To configure multiple trunk ports at once, type the following from the prompt:

Replace GigabitEthernet1/0/23 - 24 with the ports that are appropriate to your configuration. In this example we are configuring ports 23 and 24 for Trunk.
AXIA01#config t
AXIA01(config)#interface range GigabitEthernet1/0/23 - 24
AXIA01(config-if-range)#switchport mode trunk
AXIA01(config-if-range)#switchport trunk allowed vlan 1
AXIA01(config-if-range)#priority-queue out
AXIA01(config-if-range)#mls qos trust dscp
AXIA01(config-if-range)#no ip igmp snooping tcn flood
AXIA01(config-if-range)#no power efficient-ethernet auto
AXIA01(config-if-range)#end
Note the inclusion of the Cisco EEE disabling command as we did in the Access ports. Again, an error when entering this command is possible and expected if not supported by the switch.

Set Spanning-Tree settings

It’s important for your core switch to be set up as the master for the Spanning Tree protocol. If this switch will be the core switch for your Axia network then set it as the Spanning Tree root.

AXIA01#config t
AXIA01(config)#spanning-tree vlan 1 root primary
AXIA01(config)#end

Save and Check Your Work

To save your work type the following;

AXIA01#copy running-config startup-config

You will be prompted for a file name.  Just press enter.

Destination filename [startup-config]?
Building configuration...
[OK]
AXIA01#

To check your work, from the command prompt, type;

AXIA01#show run

Use the spacebar to proceed a page at a time and double check your configuration.

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